Fast pyrolysis reactor

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to shipbuilding and can be used in reconditioning in order to economize fuel and to increase speed. The technical problem is solved by the shipboard installation of air compressors, air receiver tanks, pass valves, air conduits, air separating conduits, air intakes and air injectors, which are interconnected by air ducts. An air separating conduit is mechanically secured in the bow of the ship and has air injectors secured along the centre thereof up to the stern. The injectors direct a jet of air backwards so that the jet of air thrusts the ship forwards, then the air rises along the sides of the ship, maintaining a layer of air between the ship and the water, thus reducing water resistance. The injectors in the bow direct a jet of air such that the ship is constantly sailing into an air space.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a National Stage filing for PCT PatentApplication Ser. No. PCT/RU2016/000401, filed Jun. 30, 2016, whichclaims the benefit of the filing dates of Russian Patent ApplicationSer. No. RU 2015136010, filed Aug. 26, 2015, the disclosure of which isincorporated in its entirety herein.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The claimed invention relates to a device for thermal processing of rawmaterials, e.g., peat, sawdust, agricultural waste, and morespecifically relates to the design of a fast pyrolysis reactor forproducing different kinds of end products, namely, liquid oil products,heavy and light gases, coke, activated carbon, etc.

BACKGROUND

Analysis of prior art has enabled to identify Russian and foreignpatents, the closest of which are the following.

An analog, SOLID FUEL GASIFIER, which comprises a vertical shaftfurnace, inside which there are successively downwards located drying,pyrolysis and solid fuel combustion zones. In the upper part of thefurnace, there is a charging device and a branch pipe for feeding thegasifying agent and a device for accumulation and discharge of solidprocessing products, i.e., ash. Between the upper and the lower parts ofthe gasifier, there is one or more sections being the gasifiercomponents having internal through cavities in the center, located inthe direction of the vertical axis of the gasifier and communicatingwith internal cavities of other components of the gasifier. The sectionshave a jacket with lining inside, in which the ends of thermal storageelements arranged in the internal cavity of the section are fixed. Here,one or more sections of the furnace are configured to enable rotationrelative to the upper and the lower parts of the gasifier around itsvertical axis. The technical result lies in: simplification, increasedreliability and productivity (Russian Federation invention patent No.2232347, date of publication: Jul. 10, 2004, patentee: MeshchankinAndrey Ivanovich (RU)).

Decomposition of organic feedstock in this reactor is performed by gasesforming from combustion of a fuel. Here, the effect is exercised bymeans of blowing the feedstock with hot flue gases. As a result, thegases newly generated due to decomposition of the feedstock are dilutedwith combustion products and become extremely lean. A considerable partof the carbon contained in the feedstock is oxidized to CO2 and becomesa ballast. The calorific value of hydrocarbons obtained is less than3,000 kcal/kg. The efficiency factor of the feedstock processing plantwould not exceed 20% due to the above reasons. The product obtained mayonly be used as a low grade fuel in heating systems, which are objectiveand primary shortcomings of the presented analog.

A prototype, PEAT FAST PYROLYSIS REACTOR, comprises three-sectionworking chamber 1 with outlets for delivery of dry peat, coke discharge4 and diversion 3 of the gas released as a result of peat pyrolysis.Inside chamber 1, there are horizontally installed two cylinder-shapedgas burners 5. Each of them is mechanically coupled with one inclinedmetal plate 6. Annular chambers 7 are filled with a cooling fluid andcomprise inlet 8 and outlet 9 pipes, one arranged in each of threesections of chamber 1. Dry peat delivery outlet 2 and outlet 3 fordiversion of the gas released as a result of peat pyrolysis are made inthe upper part of the upper section of chamber 1, whereas coke outlet 4is located in the lower part of the lower section. One of burners 5 andplate 6 coupled therewith is located in the upper section, the secondone, in the medium section. Plates 6 of the reactor are arranged onebelow the other and inclined in the opposite directions. The inventionexcludes release of substances poorly suitable for further use (RussianFederation invention patent No. 2293104, date of publication: Feb. 10,2007, patentees: Kotelnikov Vladimir Aleksandrovich (RU), KotelnikovAndrey Vladimirovich (RU), Zamurayev Dmitriy Vladimirovich (RU),Podzorov Aleksandr Ivanovich (RU)).

Gasification of organic matter occurs in the mode of free fall ofparticles under gravity. Here, the particles flow through the heatedzone, and fall onto steeply inclined heated steel plates arranged onebelow the other. For avoidance of stoppage of motion of particles alongthe plates, the plate inclination angle must be at least 60 degrees. Thefree fall acceleration is 9/8 m/sec, assuming air drag K=1.28. The speedof fall will be 7.6 m/sec. It is specified in the patent that theduration of time, when particles are in the free fall is 6 sec. Thismeans that the reactor must be 45.6 meters high. Operability of such aplant in the working mode is questionable. Assuming the duration of stayof delivered feedstock in this reactor is 1 sec, the height of thereactor must be at least 7.6 m (or the height of a two-storeyedbuilding). As a result of hypothetic reduction, the duration of stay ofdelivered organic matter in the reactor, the efficiency of utilizationof feedstock will decrease sharply.

The productivity will decrease several times, which is the firstsignificant shortcoming.

The second objective shortcoming of this reactor is a low combustibleagent (gas) utilization factor for warming and keeping it operable. Itsefficiency factor is as low as 30%. Such a low efficiency is determinedby the fact that the gas combustion products are blown through the gasducts passing through the reactor at a high speed, and a considerablepart of heat leaves the reactor without being utilized.

The technical result of the claimed invention lies in elimination of theaforesaid shortcomings: high combustible agent (gas) utilization factor(up to 95%) for warming and keeping it operable.

SUMMARY

The stated technical result is achieved with a fast pyrolysis reactorinstalled on a steel framework, which is a steel housing accommodating ahollow steel cylinder comprising a charging hopper, a branch pipe forevacuation of organic destruction products and an outlet branch pipe fordiversion of the product released in the course of pyrolysis, a heatingelement.

Here, the housing is made up of two parts interconnected with bolts onflanges. The lower part of the housing terminates with a pyramidalcollector of solid pyrolysis products, through the upper plant of thehousing, into which a feedstock delivery tray extends. The cylinder endsare limited on two sides with rings having through apertures in thecenter. Blades are welded along the horizontal axis of the cylinder,throughout its length. Hollow semi-axles are welded to the end rings ofthe cylinder, the inner diameter of the above semi-axles matching thediameter of the apertures made in the end rings. The semi-axles extendthrough annular apertures in the reactor side walls beyond the housinglimits, rest on rotating supports. A driven sprocket of chaintransmission is fixed with a screw joint on one of the semi-axles. Anelectric motor with a drive connected to a gearbox, on the shaft ofwhich the driven sprocket is keyed, serves as an actuator for rotationof the cylinder. The cylinder assembly has a through cavity, insidewhich electric heating elements are accommodated along the rotationaxis. A rod runs through the cavity center, on which electric heatingelements are mounted on insulators with collars. The reactor housing islined inside and outside with heat insulating materials.

Here, electric heating elements are constituted by silicon carbideelectrodes.

Here, the outer and inner lining of the housing is implemented by meansof kaolin heat insulating plates.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The essence of the invention is further explained with drawings.

FIG. 1 presents a longitudinal section of the device.

FIG. 2 presents a transversal section of the device, where 1 is charginghopper; 2 is tray; 3 is branch pipe; 4 is upper part of housing; 5 isflange; 6 is rod; 7 is lower part of housing; 8 is pyramidal collector;9 is outlet branch pipe; 10 is steel cylinder; 11 is ring; 12 is blade;13 is through aperture; 14 is electric heating element; 15 is support;16 is steel framework; 17 is driven sprocket; 18 is hollow semi-axle; 19is annular aperture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The steel housing of the reactor is made up of two parts 4, 7interconnected with bolts on flanges 5. The lower part of the housingterminates with a pyramidal collector of solid pyrolysis products 8. Atray 2, along which feedstock is delivered onto the heated surface ofthe cylinder 10 extends through the upper plane of the housing of thefast pyrolysis reactor.

In the upper part of the side plane of the reactor, there is a branchpipe 3 for evacuation of organic destruction products (mixture ofgases). The cylinder ends are limited on two sides with rings 11 havingthrough apertures in the center 13. Blades 12 are welded along thehorizontal axis of the cylinder, throughout its length, which areintended for efficient mixing and increasing the reaction surface of thecylinder 10. Hollow semi-axles 18 are welded to the end rings of thecylinder, the inner diameter of the above semi-axles matching thediameter of the apertures made in the end rings. The semi-axles extendthrough annular apertures 19 in the reactor side walls beyond thehousing limits. The semi-axles rest on rotating supports 15. A drivensprocket 17 of chain transmission, by means of which rotation of thecylinder inside the housing is exercised, is fixed with a screw joint onone of the semi-axles, the above driven sprocket. An electric motor witha drive connected to a gearbox, on the shaft of which the drivensprocket is keyed, serves as an actuator for rotation of the cylinder 10(not shown in FIGS. 1-2).

The cylinder 10 assembly has a through cavity, inside which electricheating elements 14 are accommodated along the rotation axis. A rod 6runs through the cavity center, on which electric heating elements 14are mounted on insulators with collars (not shown in FIGS. 1-2). Thereactor housing is lined inside and outside with heat insulatingmaterials. The reactor is installed on a steel framework 16.

The electric heating elements are constituted by silicon carbideelectrodes.

Here, the outer and inner lining of the housing is implemented by meansof kaolin heat insulating plates.

The device functions as follows.

The feedstock is delivered from charging hopper 1 by means of tray 2 onthe pre-heated surface of steel cylinder 10 to point A. While rotating,the cylinder relocates the material from point A to point B, with theorganic feedstock being continuously agitated (poured) along the heatedsurface. At point B, the solid residue of pyrolysis is dumped into thelower part of housing 7 and is evacuated out of the reactor throughlower outlet pipe branch 9. The generated gas is evacuated throughbranch pipe 3.

At operation of the reactor, the cylinder has two zones:

-   -   working zone (position A-B), the temperature +800-+900° C.,        where decomposition of organic matter takes place;    -   idling zone (position B-A), the temperature +700-+800° C., where        heating of the cylinder surface takes place.

Fast pyrolysis process control: Delivery of the feedstock (preparedorganic mass) onto the cylinder is exercised downwards normal to thehorizontal cylinder rotation axis.

Various organic compounds and materials are subjected to pyrolysisprocesses. Peat, sawdust, agricultural waste may serve as feedstock.Here, for each kind of feedstock, specific parameters of organic thermaldecomposition process are to be met. For these processes to becontrolled, the design is configured to enable regulation of materialdelivery volume in time by adjusting the current loads, variation of thereaction duration (the cylinder rotation period is variable within therange of 1 to 12 seconds), setting the decomposition temperature withinthe range of 450-1200° C. in the automatic and/or semi-automatic and/ormanual modes.

Therefore, the claimed invention has the following additional advantagesrelative to the analog and the prototype.

-   -   1. Compact overall dimensions of the device: height (including        the receiving hopper)—4 m, width—2.5 m, length—3 m.    -   2. The organic matter is not decomposed at the free fall period;

instead, it comes onto the heated metal surface of the cylinder andstays there for a specified time period.

Due to the fact that the reactor is heated with electric elements inclosed space, with no air circulation occurring, up to 95% of thermalenergy is spent on its designated purpose, namely, for warming thereactor and maintaining the operating temperature therein. The calorificvalue of the obtained mixture of gases is 9,000 kW*hr/m³ and may be usedboth as a fuel for heat generation and as a motor fuel for generation ofelectric energy in piston type gas generator plants.

Therefore,

-   -   The energy consumption per unit of processed products in the        presented reactor is 3 times lower than in the prototype.    -   The economic efficiency in terms of generation of the end        product per unit of raw materials is higher owing to complete        decomposition of organic matter.

Therefore, both the analysis performed and the development model testconfirm the stated technical result of the claimed invention: highcombustible agent (gas) utilization factor (up to 95%) for warming andkeeping it operable.

The suggested invention is novel as the entire totality of features isnot known from prior art as presented in the relevant section of thespecification.

Besides, it meets the criterion of inventive step as it cannot beclearly deduced from the prior art by a person skilled in the art.

Finally, it is industrially applicable as the model tests have provedthat it can be used for thermal processing of raw materials.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fast pyrolysis reactor characterized in thatthe reactor is installed on a steel framework, which is a steel housingaccommodating a hollow steel cylinder, comprising a charging hopper, abranch pipe for evacuation of organic destruction products and an outletbranch pipe for diversion of a product released in a course ofpyrolysis, a heating element, where the housing is made up of two parts,a lower part and an upper part, interconnected with bolts on flanges, alower part of the housing terminates with a pyramidal collector of solidpyrolysis products, through an upper plant of the housing, into which afeedstock delivery tray extends, cylinder ends are limited on two sideswith rings having through apertures in a center, blades are welded alonga horizontal axis of the cylinder, throughout its length, hollowsemi-axles are welded to the end rings of the cylinder, an innerdiameter of the above semi-axles matching a diameter of the aperturesmade in the end rings, the semi-axles extend through annular aperturesin reactor side walls beyond housing limits, rest on rotating supports,a driven sprocket of a chain transmission is fixed with a screw joint onone of the semi-axles, an electric motor with a drive connected to agearbox, on a shaft of which the driven sprocket is keyed, serves as anactuator for rotation of the cylinder, a cylinder assembly has a throughcavity, inside which electric heating elements are accommodated alongrotation axis, a rod runs through a cavity center, on which electricheating elements are mounted on insulators with collars, the reactorhousing is lined inside and outside with heat insulating materials. 2.The fast pyrolysis reactor according to claim 1 characterized in thatthe electric heating elements are constituted by working silicon carbideelectrodes.
 3. The fast pyrolysis reactor according to claim 1characterized in that the outer and inner lining of the housing isimplemented by means of kaolin heat insulating plates.